Today, amidst escalating trade conflicts and economic uncertainty, a troubling new ideological trend emerges -- a post-liberal movement that threatens core American principles. I'm not talking about the progressive blue haired DEI liberalism; rather, it's a departure from classical liberalism, the kind rooted deeply in free speech, open markets, and democratic pluralism. At its heart, this shift reflects a profound confusion about the nature of economic progress, freedom, and America's role in the global economy.

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Today's tariff rollout is a prime example of this. On one hand, proponents argue that tariffs encourage trade reciprocity, protecting domestic industries and promoting fair play internationally. Yet, paradoxically, free trade, once a cornerstone of American economic identity, is increasingly cast as a villain. Figures like JD Vance accuse free trade as inflicting pain on the American middle class via globalization. So which is it? Many will say "what JD means is that we don't have free trade!" Then why does he say that? And why do explanations for this clip all involve inverting what he's saying here? I would encourage those with greater political capital than myself as someone like @PalmerLuckey to pose this question directly. My guess is he doesn't want to bite the hand that feeds the future of his company.

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With the introduction of regulatory abstractions like tariffs (and they are a form of regulation), we risk following Europe's example, becoming a continent mired in economic stagnation, bickering socialists obsessed more with dividing a shrinking pie through redistribution than figuring out how to grow it.

The real challenge for America should not be to revitalize traditional industries such as steel production. Why strive merely to be the world's leading steel exporter when we have the intellectual capital, resources, and opportunity to lead in entirely new technological domains yet to be fully imagined? Why stop with steel? Why not revitalize the covered wagon industry? Surely the humble wagon-wheel-maker would benefit immensely. It reflects the ultimate boomer mindset. That America's greatness is in the steel industry and trade surplus itself, and not in the environment that continually fosters the ability to remain a bleeding edge economic innovator.

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Roon says this better than I ever could. A vibrant future does not lie in retreating into protectionism, but in reclaiming and revitalizing the values that have historically driven American prosperity: openness to trade, encouragement of innovation, and the entrepreneurial spirit. We need to have the confidence to remain in the arena, defining the new bleeding edge with each generation.

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Bring Back The Covered Wagon Industry

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